Guigang East Lake Park

　　The predecessor of East Lake Park was Zhongshan Park, located to the east of the urban area. The East Lake, anciently known as Dongjing and also called Luyun Pond, is formed by the convergence of over twenty large and small lotus ponds, hence it is commonly known as Datang (Big Pond). On the southeast side of East Lake, a Longlong Bridge was built during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1823 AD) using white stone, stretching across the lake from north to south in the shape of a giant dragon. At the head of the bridge stands a stone tablet inscribed with the two characters “东湖” (East Lake), written by Chen Li, a renowned calligrapher and high-ranking official of the late Qing Dynasty. In the 19th year of the Republic of China (1930), Li Shuxi, then the magistrate of Guixian County, built Zhongshan Park around the lake. In the 23rd year of the Republic of China, Magistrate Ou Yangxi constructed Yiwang Pavilion, the Stone Memorial Monument for Shi Dakai, and the tomb tablet pedestal of Shi Dakai’s great-grandmother within the park. After the liberation, the county government further allocated funds to build a Revolutionary Martyrs’ Monument in the park and to construct an island in the lake, along with a swimming pool.

　　After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party, the people's government repeatedly allocated funds for maintenance and expansion. A new concrete and steel “Boat Pavilion” was built, featuring a main building two stories high, 12 meters tall, 30 meters long, with a total floor area of 300 square meters on both levels, making it the tallest structure in the park. There is also a children’s playground equipped with more than ten types of rides including automatic self-controlled rotating airplanes, slides, swings, monkey bars, elephant rides, merry-go-rounds, and electric cars. Three bridges were constructed, among which the Dakai Bridge spans from the land across the lake surface directly to the lake’s island. Next to Yiwang Pavilion, a new stele pedestal for the ferry boat monument was built. On the lake’s island, a new bronze statue of Shi Dakai was erected, standing 3.15 meters tall, 1.5 meters wide, and 2.2 meters thick. The lake also features sculptures such as “Lotus Fairy,” “Crane,” and “ROC.”

　　East Lake Park boasts sparkling waters, shaded groves, lush green lawns, and blooming flowers, offering a beautiful environment and pleasant scenery that make it an ideal place for recreation and relaxation. “East Lake Lotus Swallows” has been newly named one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Guigang.

　　The park now covers a total area of 744.5 mu, including 668 mu of water surface, making it the largest inland lake park in Guangxi.